Tyre Sizes

The Assegai is available in a range of tyre sizes for mountain and downhill bicycles. Check the table above and remember we are bringing in new sizes all the time.

The Story

“My idea was to design a tyre around some of Maxxis’ iconic tread patterns. I started in the center by combining the Minion DHF and the Minion DHR II. The reasoning behind this was I felt the surface area of the DHF rolls well and gives you a good footprint on hardpack, greasy turns as well as confidence on wet roots and rocks. The DHR II added faster rolling speed and more aggressive braking.

Then I worked on the ‘extra’ tooth to give you more support when leaning the bike over so there’s a consistent feel all the way onto the side knobs. And that leaves me talking about my all-time favorite tyre -- the High Roller. Maxxis engineers and I came up with a remodeled High Roller side knob with very similar characteristics to the original. But with the support the extra tooth gives you, you have the ultimate wingman when cutting hard on a flat turn."

- Greg Minaar

Assegai Tyre Test Results

If you’re looking for mountain bike or downhill cycling tyres and you’re not sure which tyres to choose, you can always look to tyre tests for the answer, and there are plenty of tyre tests involving the Assegai

Worldwide Cyclery

WorldwideCyclery.com tested the Assegai and gave it a glowing review:

“No matter what conditions I rode the tires in, I felt a great amount of grip, control, and predictability. I would say the grip and predictability of the Assegai are what is most impressive. You can push this tire extremely hard in 90% of trail conditions while having the same breaking point every time.

Most of the trails I ride when they are wet are just slippery and slimy. In those conditions when the dirt is wet but not like cake or peanut butter, the Assegai is amazing. The tall knobs help really dig into the dirt and they act like grippy fingers grabbing anything they can so you can focus on the trail.

Greg Minnaar is the winningest DH racer of our time, and with his input along with some talented engineers, Maxxis has created the Assegai. Taking the best parts of top performing Maxxis tires, they merged them into one of the best all-around feeling front tires I have ever ridden. As a front tire, it really lives up to the meaning of Assegai, cutting through the dirt and delivering predictability to get you through any trail obstacle.”

Worldwidecyclery.com, June 2019

Outdoor Gear Lab

“Obviously, being a DH tire, the Assegai is on the heavy side and has noticeably more rolling resistance than many of its competitors, but that is to be expected. Testers were amazed by this tire's cornering grip and outrageous traction and didn't seem to mind pedalling this heavyweight contender around as a result. We think gravity riders who put a premium on traction and performance and don't mind the weight will be hard-pressed to find a better tire than the Assegai.

The Maxxis Assegai is our new Top Pick for Gravity Riders Award winner. This is not a tire for weight-conscious riders or those who earn all of their descents by pedalling; this is a downhill crushing machine. If you let gravity do the work and you're looking for a tire with outstanding cornering capabilities and seemingly endless pedalling and braking traction, you'll want to give the Assegai a try. Mount 'em front and rear on your long travel rig for an unbeatable combination for smashing downhill.”

Jeremy Benson, OutdoorGearLab.com, November 2018

Pink Bike

PinkBike.com tested the Assegai and had some very positive things to say:

“I've been able to get in a handful of big rides on them so far, with conditions ranging from wet and sloppy to even wetter and sloppier. Maxxis' 3C MaxxGrip compound is the ideal match for those type of conditions, and there was plenty of traction on the shiny roots, rocks, and greasy dirt that I came across. One of the nice things about the Assegai's tread pattern is how well the knobs are supported – it's a tall, aggressive pattern, but it delivers a very positive feel on rocks and roots, areas where the Shorty can get a little scary.

Did you ever mix all the flavors of soda from the soft drink dispenser at a fast-food restaurant when you were a kid? It seemed like a great idea, but the result usually tasted more like a horrible flavor of cough syrup. That could easily have been the result of combining so many different tread patterns to create the Assegai, but luckily that's not the case at all.

Somehow Maxxis have managed to pull out the best traits of their most popular tires to create something entirely different, yet very familiar at the same time. My initial impressions are all positive – this is an aggressive, grippy, and incredibly predictable tire”

“Many of Maxxis’ most popular tyre designs are based on definite cornering strips or gaps between edge blocks and centre treads, but the Assegai fills in the blanks on the shoulder with extra toothy knobs, so there’s less dead space. It also has taller tread blocks, more like a Shorty, making it look a bit of mashed-up mud tyre with tighter knob spacing so it can work in the dry too.

Jutting out at sharp angles, the edge blocks are very aggressive, and as heavily siped as the central tread. The whole package is ride tuned by Greg to work from blown out dirt and rocks, right up to muddy ground, and ‘give a very consistent feel all the way onto the side knobs’.

From the first ride, the Assegai’s pure grip is unquestionable. There’s a less on/off and almost relaxed feel in turns compared to the iconic Minion DHR II, and the Assegai feels noticeably heavier and slower too – rolling everywhere a bit less sprightly in the same rubber blend.”

Mick Kirkman, MBR.co.uk, February 2019

Bike Radar

“The profile is more rounded, with less of a gap between the centre and shoulder tread. This gives it a predictable feel when tipping the bike into a corner and carving through flat turns where it carries speed well and grips securely through greasy or loose conditions.

Assegai Tyre Reviews

Sometimes the best reviews come from riders just like you. Take a look at our user reviews below.

Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, February 2020:

“Already around 1k km on this tyre. I´m using it on my Nordest Bardino 2.0 hardtail on the rear, the grip is excellent under any conditions, even more in wet and muddy as is normal here in Ireland. Planning on buying another one for front.”

Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, November 2019:

“I just got mine after listening to my friend go on and on about how much he loves his Assegai. He's had it for a year, and it still has lots of life, and cornering and grip are both significantly improved. In the meantime, I keep wearing through Schwalbe tires. So...I'm switching the DH bike over to Assegai front and rear, and the enduro over to Assegai front and something else rear. Only downside: They're heavy.”

Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, November 2019:

“I’ve always use DHF for front and wanted [to] try [an] Assegai out of curiosity, turns out it performs as good as DHF, abit better in cornering.”

Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, November 2019:

“This tyre has been the best front tyre I have ever used. The intermediate lugs definitely help on the sketchier stuff. Mine hasn't worn down too much so far despite the soft compound. It's a seriously good tyre for both bike park and trail riding, though it is obviously a little draggy.”

Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, November 2019:

“The best front tyre for consistent turn in in most conditions except full clay mud. I have been Dh since 2002 and this is the best front tyre yet. Great in bike park, great on loose DH my go to choice for enduro.”

Rider, ChainReactionCycles.com, October 2019:

“Awesome tyre. Used it on two rides now and the bike feels like it’s on rails. All the rave reviews are true. I’ve found my new go to tyre! Just need my front tyre to wear out now so it’s on the front and rear :)”

Interested in the Assegai tyre for your mountain bike? Scroll down to use our dealer locator to find a tyre fitter near you.

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